10 Matches To Bet On This Weekend From Europe’s Best Leagues

We look to close the first chapter of 2021 on a high as we preview 10 matches to punt on for one last time in January. As usual, our main focus is Europe’s top five leagues as we approach the second half of the season across various countries. Last week we got eight of 10 picks right, we are going for a full house this weekend.

The Lab – Stats Centre

We cater for everybody here at BET Central, so let’s see what’s cooking on the menu this week:

Premier League

Everton v Newcastle United (Saturday)

Everton have gone under the radar yet again as the Toffees look to build on their decent home record and solidify their place in the UEFA spots. Carlo Ancelotti’s side welcomed back Dominic Calvert-Lewin from injury this past weekend in the FA Cup with the 23-year-old netting on his return. Newcastle United are now winless in 11 matches after their 2-1 defeat at home to Leeds United in midweek.

Manchester City v Sheffield United (Saturday)

Manchester City went on top of the English Premier League for the first time this season when they humbled Sam Allardyce’s West Brom side on Tuesday night, beating the Baggies 5-0 in their own backyard. That result also ensured that Manchester City kept their 11th clean sheet in 12 matches that Ruben Dias has partnered John Stones in defence. This will be the second time this week that Sheffield United come up against Manchester opposition after facing United in midweek.

Serie A

Bologna v AC Milan (Saturday)

After losing 2-0 to Juventus, the journey doesn’t get any easier for Bologna, who now play host to the log leaders, AC Milan. Bologna have won just one of their last 10 matchups, while Milan has the best away record in the league, and are the only team undefeated on the road. From nine games played, Milan have won eight of them! With the chasing pack hot on their heels, Milan should cruise a victory here.

Atalanta v Lazio (Sunday)

Sunday’s showdown between Atalanta and Lazio should be an intriguing encounter with both teams in a rich vein of form. Atalanta stretched their long-standing unbeaten run to 10 matches after that emphatic 3-0 victory at AC Milan last weekend. Lazio have won four successive games in the Italian Serie A, scoring a minimum of two goals in each tie. This clash should have goals galore written all over it.

Bundesliga

Dortmund v Augsburg (Saturday)

Dortmund’s form has been disappointing of late, but largely due to the fact that they’ve played five of their last seven matches away from home. In those two home games, Dortmund managed to remain unbeaten, and with Erling Haaland back from injury and in red-hot form, new boss, Edin Terzic, will want to get his side back in the UEFA Champions League places. Augsburg managed to grind out a 2-1 win over Union Berlin in the German Bundesliga, but prior to that result, the visitors were on a three-match losing streak.

RB Leipzig v Bayer Leverkusen (Saturday)

With Bayern Munich well clear in front of the German Bundesliga race, RB Leipzig entertain Bayer Leverkusen in a battle between second against third. Leipzig have a three-point advantage over their opponents but have shown their defensive frailties in recent weeks, conceding eight times in four matches. Bayer Leverkusen’s form has also been far from spectacular with the visitors earning just one victory in their last six encounters this term.

La Liga

Real Madrid v Levante (Saturday)

Real Madrid have some ground to catch up if they want to catch their city rivals, Atletico Madrid. Zinedine Zidane’s men are seven points adrift of the log leaders, despite playing one game more. In terms of their fixture against Levante, Madrid have looked decent in recent encounters, experiencing a nine-game unbeaten run. In that period, Los Blancos have won seven times. Levante are winless in their last eight matches, but have managed to find the back of the net in their last three ties on the road.

Cadiz v Atletico Madrid (Sunday)

Cadiz have dropped down to the bottom half of the Spanish La Liga after managing to win just once in their last eight league matches. Atletico Madrid are on a seven-game winning streak and sit atop the standings despite having a game in hand and a seven-point lead. Diego Simeone’s side are playing like champions and should continue their superb run of form.

Ligue 1

Lille v Dijon (Sunday)

After a run of three successive victories in the French Ligue 1, Lille have joined Paris Saint-Germain at the summit of the standings and are now level with the champions on 45 points. To date, Lille have lost just two matches this season with no team in the division losing less times than the title hopefuls. Dijon have been in and around the relegation places all seasons but have a game in midweek before this tie help pick themselves out of their own mess that they created. These sides last met in December, where Lille ran out 2-0 victors.

Nantes v Monaco (Sunday)

Nantes come into this clash in deep, deep trouble, failing to win in their last 12 attempts, dating back to November. The hosts are edging closer to relegation each week, and unless a dramatic turnaround in their performances, Nantes look to be on course for another defeat. Monaco have won four French Ligue 1 matches in a row, scoring a minimum of three goals in each match.